Scotch = £4bn IndustryThe Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has reported that the Scotch Whisky industry generates more than £4bn per year and supports an estimated 36,000 jobs. Not so relevant here in the U.S. at first glance, except that it is the export market that has been driving growth, setting the industry up for what ... read more>

1. Red Blends RollApothic, Ménage à Trois, Red Velvet, RedVolution and the like aren’t making many of the critics’ 2012 “best of” lists, but who cares? Certainly not the legions of people lapping them up, nor the merchants selling them. Smooth, juicy reds—some actually sweet—have been red hot all year. 2. MoscatoEvery generation has its ... read more>

The Blue Duck Tavern in the Washington, DC, Park Hyatt hotel attracts a lot of international visitors, given its location. So what happens when they see 18 Virginia wines on the restaurant’s list? “They’re really not sure,” says German Broggi, the hotel’s beverage director. “When European travelers see a Bordeaux blend, they think it comes ... read more>

Looking to increase your wine sales? There’s an app for that! In fact, a growing number of developers are eager to make wine lists, and other restaurant menus, available to customers on iPads and tablet computers. While this may seem like a huge expense for mere novelty, these developers claim that tablet wine lists are ... read more>

From P.F. Chang’s to The French Laundry and from BevMo to specialty wine retailers, saké is establishing a place on beverage lists and retail shelves around the country. Given the beverage’s flexibility—served straight up before or with dinner or mixed into cocktails—it’s no wonder importers have seen double-digit increases in saké sales. First, a few ... read more>

While purists might squirm at the idea of drinking their wine out of anything other than a standard 750 ml bottle or a magnum, the reality is that modern times are calling for more convenient packaging. Single-serve bottles of wine, otherwise known as 187 ml bottles, and lightweight, environmentally-friendly Tetra Paks are poised to make ... read more>

Taking the concept of “taste before you buy” to a new level, wine pouring systems are the newest trend among wine retailers. While the machines are a common sight in Europe, the first system arrived in the U.S. in 2004. Citing increased consumer choice, less breakage, and less waste, the wine pouring systems are catching ... read more>